Frequently Asked Questions
-
Whether we can work together depends primarily on the type of service you are seeking and your physical location at the time of our sessions.
📍 Clinical Psychotherapy (IL & MI Only) Under strict U.S. state laws and licensing board regulations, psychotherapists are legally permitted to provide clinical therapy only to clients who are physically located in the state(s) where the therapist holds an active license. I am currently dual-licensed in Illinois (LCSW / LCPC) and Michigan (LMSW). Therefore, to engage in clinical individual, couples, or family therapy, you must be physically present in Illinois or Michigan during our appointments.
🌍 Solution-Focused Coaching (Nationwide / Global) Unlike clinical psychotherapy, "Coaching" does not involve diagnosing mental health conditions or treating clinical trauma; rather, it is highly goal-oriented and focuses on actionable strategies and personal growth. As a result, coaching is not subject to state-by-state licensure restrictions. Whether you are located in another U.S. state or internationally, we can work together through coaching to navigate your career transitions, academic challenges, or cross-cultural adjustments.
⏳ Future Expansion (Coming Soon: IN & WI) To better serve the Midwest community, I am currently in the process of obtaining my clinical licenses in Indiana (IN) and Wisconsin (WI). If you reside in either of these states and are interested in clinical psychotherapy, please feel free to email me to join my waitlist. I will personally notify you as soon as my licenses in your state become active!
-
In-Network Insurance
I am an in-network provider for BCBS PPO and USHIP. Your exact out-of-pocket costs (such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance) will depend on your specific insurance policy. Please note that some insurance plans also offer coverage for group therapy.
Important Notice: If you are using insurance, please do not schedule multiple therapy sessions on the same day (e.g., attending both an individual session and a couples/family/group session on the same date), as insurance companies will likely deny the claims.
Out-of-Network & Superbills
For clients with all other insurance plans, I am considered an Out-of-Network (OON) provider.
What does this mean, and how much do I pay? This means you are responsible for paying the full session fee at the time of service. I will then provide you with a Superbill (an itemized medical receipt). You can submit this Superbill to your insurance company. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, your insurance company will reimburse you directly for a portion of the cost based on your policy.
I strongly recommend contacting your insurance provider prior to our first session to verify your out-of-network mental health benefits. You can ask them about your coverage and reimbursement rates for the following specific service codes (CPT Codes):
90791: Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation (60 minutes) — $225
90837: Individual Psychotherapy (53 minutes) — $200
90847: Family/Couples Psychotherapy, Conjoint (53 minutes) — $200
Services Not Covered by Insurance Please be advised that the following specialized services are not eligible for medical insurance reimbursement and are private-pay only:
Immigration Psychological Evaluations: $1500 per evaluation. Expedited services are available upon request for time-sensitive legal cases.
Clinical Supervision & Consultation: Services provided exclusively for mental health professionals and interns cannot be billed to insurance.
Community Workshops & Speaking Engagements: Please reach out via email to discuss your organization's needs and receive a customized quote.
-
Many people think therapy is just lying on a couch venting, or waiting for a therapist to dispense "life advice." At OverStream Therapy, this is not the case. Our 50-minute sessions are collaborative, egalitarian conversations. Utilizing a trauma-informed framework, we start by listening to your current distress. I won't lecture you; instead, I will act as your ally, exploring together how your past experiences influence your current beliefs. We will identify emotional blind spots, practice setting boundaries, and equip you with practical emotional regulation tools to use in your daily life.
-
This entirely depends on your specific needs and the goals we set together. If you are navigating OPT/H1B anxiety, a career transition, or short-term academic burnout, 1-6 sessions of Solution-Focused Coaching might be sufficient to provide a clear action plan. However, if you are looking to heal deep-rooted family of origin trauma, long-standing relationship patterns, or eating disorders and body image (EDBI) concerns, this typically requires a longer commitment (several months or more). Rewiring neural pathways and building a sense of safety takes time. We will collaboratively discuss and create a flexible timeline during your initial intake session
-
Absolutely not. This is a very common and critical misconception. The sex therapy I provide is strictly talk therapy. There is absolutely no physical contact, medical examination, or nudity involved in the therapy room. Within a professionally trained framework, we will use highly secure, depathologized conversations to explore your bodily sensations, sexual pain, desire discrepancies, or arousal difficulties. If we determine that your concerns may have underlying physiological causes, I will refer you to a trusted OB-GYN or urologist for medical evaluation.
-
No. I strictly require all clients to be represented by a retained immigration attorney. Immigration evaluations are complex legal documents, not just standard medical check-ups. To ensure your investment is protected and the report is legally effective, I must collaborate directly with your attorney to understand your specific legal strategy and deadlines.
-
No. Health insurance only covers services deemed "medically necessary" for treatment purposes. Immigration evaluations are considered forensic/legal assessments, which are strictly out-of-pocket expenses.
-
The standard turnaround time is 3 to 4 weeks after the clinical interview is completed and all requested documents are received. The clinical interview itself takes about 2 to 4 hours, usually split into one or two sessions to prevent emotional fatigue. If you have a tight court deadline, expedited services (14-day, 7-day, or 3-day turnaround) are available for an additional rush fee.
-
Not while your case is ongoing. To maintain the strict clinical objectivity required by immigration courts, I cannot serve as both your unbiased Expert Evaluator and your supportive Therapist (this is considered a "dual relationship"). If you need ongoing emotional support during your legal process, I will provide referrals to other trusted bilingual therapists. We may discuss starting therapy only after your immigration case has been completely finalized.
-
No. While a strong, professionally written psychological evaluation is often a crucial piece of evidence in cases like Hardship Waivers, Asylum, or VAWA, the final decision rests entirely with the USCIS officer or the Immigration Judge. My role is to provide an objective, expert clinical assessment to support the legal arguments made by your attorney.
-
The therapeutic relationship is the absolute core of the healing process. This is exactly why I highly encourage starting with the free 15-minute consultation before booking a full session.
If, during our first few sessions, you feel that my therapeutic style, pacing, or overall energy isn't the best fit for you, please tell me directly. This is not offensive at all; in fact, it's a powerful step in advocating for your own needs within a relationship! As a professional, my ultimate goal is to ensure you get the best support possible. If I am not the right person, I will gladly use my professional network to provide referrals to other excellent therapists.